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Student protesters pressing for the issuance of the ordinance needed to establish the proposed Dhaka Central University through the merger of seven government colleges have suspended their movement for now.
They announced the decision at a press conference in front of Dhaka College on Tuesday, bdnews24.com reports.
Md Robin Hossain, a representative of the protesting students and a student of Dhaka College, said: “Following discussions among the students, it was decided that the ongoing one-point programme will remain suspended until Dec 25. Senior students from seven colleges have also given us instructions in this regard. We’ll wait until Dec 25. During this period, we’ll determine our next steps based on the developing situation.”
Plans are underway to form Dhaka Central University by combining Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girl’s College, Mirpur Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College. However, teachers and sections of the colleges’ student bodies remain divided over how the new institution should be structured.
The education ministry released the draft ordinance on Sept 24. It proposes dividing the seven colleges into four schools under an interdisciplinary or “schooling” framework. The colleges would continue offering higher secondary education under the proposal.
Members of the BCS General Education Cadre, who serve as teachers in government colleges across the country, say they fear their rights, particularly relating to promotion, may be affected under the new structure. They have called for the university to be formed under an affiliation-based model, which they argue would preserve the identity of the existing colleges.
Meanwhile, a section of current students in the colleges have demanded the immediate issuance of an ordinance supporting the speedy implementation of the legal framework for the university. They staged a sit-in programme in front of Shikkha Bhaban on Sunday and Monday. Now they have announced they will suspend their programme until Dec 25.
On the other hand, a section of higher secondary and Honours, Master’s-level students -- just like the education cadre officials – have opposed the new proposed structure, saying that the identity of colleges will not be maintained in the schooling structure.
The education ministry said the draft ordinance is being “revised and finalised” following consultations with all stakeholders, and an inter-ministerial meeting is planned on Dec 25 to review the draft. It hoped that classes for the first batch (2024–25) will begin on Jan 1.
Noting the press statement issued by the ministry, Md Robin said: “We always abide by the Ministry of Education, the government and above all the state. Like in the past, we want to trust the ministry that the deadline they gave to us will be maintained and the ordinance issuance and classes for freshers will start on time.
"We have heard that another draft of the ordinance will be published this month. We are keeping a close eye on that draft. We have heard that major amendments are being made to the last draft. We‘re worried that the amendments are made following the prescription provided by the education syndicate or conspirators.”
Demanding authorities ensure quality of education and people’s rights in the ordinance, he said: "If there’s any deviation from it, students will throw away the ordinance”
"Dhaka Central University cannot be established with an aim to deprive the students and to offer opportunities to conspirators. This university must be established to ensure a quality standard of education for students.”